The Avalon is setting sail again this May for important shorebird and seabird conservation and research – join us! The mission is a continuation of on-the-ground protective and restorative measures to limit human-caused disturbance and control invasive Australian pine at key shorebird and seabird sites in The Bahamas with support from Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners.
Volunteers Needed!
Our days will be filled with much adventure aboard the 75ft schooner “Avalon”. (Photo by Margo Zdravkovic)
We need your help to protect beach-nesting birds, nests and young. Conservian is seeking a weekly crew of 10 enthusiastic volunteers for our Bahamas shorebird habitat conservation project in May 2020 aboard our 75ft research schooner. Crews fly to the Bahamas each week to designated airports for shuttle transport to schooner. All trips include bunk, onboard meals, water, & ground transportation associated with project. Trip cost is is $1,750 per person/per week. Please see website for more information at Coastalbird.org A valid passport is required. Airfare & insurance are not included.
This is a wonderful opportunity to gain field experience and shorebird ID skills or simply a once in a lifetime experience! In 2018, BirdsCaribbean’s own Jennifer Wheeler joined the trip. Read all about her amazing adventures here. And check out an article by Margo about one of the past expeditions.
May 2020 Expedition Dates & Locations:
Please note our ports of call were not impacted by Hurricane Dorian. All islands on the 2020 itinerary were unaffected.
American Oystercatcher with young (Photo by J. Gray)
Choose one week or more! Each week includes 7 nights aboard the schooner
Week 1: May 3-10 – Ambergris Cay, Joulter Cays & S. Andros (Nassau Int Apt)
Week 2: May 10-17 – Exumas & Great Exuma (Nassau Int Apt/Exuma Int. Apt)
Week 3: May 17-24 – Cat Island, Little San Salvador, Eleuthera (Exuma Int. Apt/Nassau Int. Apt)
Project Crew Activities:
Protect, post & sign shorebird & seabird sites
Collect new data on nesting shorebirds, seabirds & habitat
Locate & protect shorebird & seabird nests & downy young
Control invasive Australian pine on beach habitats (select trips)
Work with local volunteers to accomplish the above goals
Snorkel reefs in gin clear waters
Learn sailing crew skills
Fish for dinner-catch of the day!
To join our conservation pirate crew please contact Margo Zdravkovic at MargoZ@Coastalbird.org Go to Coastalbird.org for more information on our 2020 expedition and Conservian’s coastal bird conservation work.
Aerial photo of prime shorebird habitat on Andros.
IMPORTANT: Applicants must be responsible, adventurous, in good physical condition, enjoy working in teams, and be capable of walking several miles during warm weather on Bahamas beaches. Applicants must be comfortable living communally onboard a schooner for a week and riding in small boats to access survey sites.
Join Martha Cartwright and her five birding companions on their intrepid journey to the East End of Grand Bahama (GB) Island one month after Hurricane Dorian. Their mission was to check on the status of the birds and habitats devastated by this monstrous Category 5 Hurricane. Martha paints a vivid and sobering picture of the “new normal” on GB for people and nature in the early stages of recovery.
I love birding on Grand Bahama, and I have a sweet spot in my heart for birding on the east end of the island. One highway runs from Freeport eastwards, but to call it a “highway” is a misnomer. It is two simple lanes, often potted with holes, and lightly traveled. It can be tedious, this road: mile after mile of Caribbean Pine trees and “bush” (our word for the native Thatch Palms, bushes, Century Plants, vines and orchids that grow under the pine trees). After rains there are usually pockets of standing water along the road; but there is never enough elevation to glimpse the beauty of the ocean, paralleling the road just off in the distance, nor the wetlands that are a hidden haven for birds of all kinds.
To love birding the east end, one has to learn to wait, to walk along unpaved trails in the pines, along miles of pristine beaches, around mangrove swamps…And let the birds slowly reveal themselves.
Six Grand Bahama Island Birders carried out the first bird survey of the Eastern End of Grand Bahama Island one month after Hurricane Dorian. Left to right – Shelagh Paton-Ash, Delores Kellman (BirdsCaribbean’s Administrative Assistant), Gena Granger, Bridget Davis (recorder) and Erika Gates (our leader and driver). We’re smiling for the camera, but we were not a happy group. I’m behind the camera, just where I like to be. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Three Days of Fear and Waiting
It was this same East End of the island that took the brunt of Hurricane Dorian, that slow-moving storm whose feeder bands we started feeling Sunday and who, if we were lucky enough to keep our houses, kept us inside until Tuesday.
From September 1 to September 3, for those three days, the world had been watching in awe and anguish the videos coming out of Abaco and Grand Bahama Island. Friends and family all over the world held their breaths, waiting with troubled hearts to hear that their loved ones had survived, waiting to hear if their homes were intact. For many of us in or near the storm without power, internet or cell service for weeks, realization of the devastation came in dribs and drabs. For me, the terrible news came mostly through conversations and shared stories, over the fence, waiting in lines, driving around or walking over debris to check on friends.
We heard grim stories of hours spent in the attic of flooded homes waiting for rescue, inspiring stories of courage as people on jet-skis headed over the bridge on Tuesday to rescue stranded families, sorrowful stories of the loss of family members – drowned or “missing.” Daily we watch news of global catastrophes – floods, fires, tornadoes. But when it is your own back yard that lies tattered and torn, emotions sit heavy in the heart and mind. The body keeps moving forward day by day, but the trauma burrows deeps and lingers.
#Grand BahamaStrong
While we were in the midst of the storm, thousands of rescue and relief organizations had already started to mobilize to bring in the necessities of survival. We saw the scenes on TV and the Internet and they were real. The disaster drills that rescue and relief organizations mobilized to bring in water, food, medical support, shelter, cadaver dogs. These organizations made good use of the millions of dollars donated for our recovery by caring people all over the world.
The people who work in humanitarian relief and rescue are amazing angels of hope and strength for the people whose lives they touch. Help from the outside gives local people time after a hurricane to take the initial steps towards recovery. We had to clear debris, salvage belongings, tend to businesses that were also damaged, and watch out for our neighbors. On Grand Bahama, we are so grateful to all who have helped and are continuing to help.
How Did the East End Fare?
This is the view as we drove east along Grand Bahama Highway, seeing for the first time the damage from salt-water surge and hurricane force winds. We were a quiet group, stunned and saddened during the drive. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
We wondered how our birds fared out east, but for the most part we kept our eBird recording to the Freeport area, where most of the Grand Bahama Island Birders (GBIB) live. It took us a month to gather a group of six for our initial survey of the birds out east. Roads that had been dangerous and nigh impassable except for relief trucks were now open. I wanted to go. I wanted to know about the birds, but truthfully, for days I dreaded the trip. People were still missing. Habitats were like moonscapes. Relief organizations were setting up camps, helping families, distributing supplies. People first. But what was happening to the birds?
Our Tour Begins With Many Questions: Owl Hole
Grand Bahama and bird survey sites on the highway out to the East End of Grand Bahama. (Map by Aly Ollivierre)
We stopped first in the pine barrens around Owl Hole Road. On one birding excursion in 2016, we had spotted 25 species for a total of 93 birds in the forest. It was home to the Common Ground-Dove, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Cuban Emerald, Hairy Woodpecker, Western Spindalis, Red-winged Blackbird, Black-faced Grassquit, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Cuban Peewee, mockingbird, thrushes, vireos, and warblers.
Now, we were wondering. The Bahama Warbler is known only on Grand Bahama Island and Abaco – has it survived? The Bahama Yellowthroat is seen in other islands beside our two Northern Islands, so it has a better change of survival. The Caribbean Pine or Yellow Pine, native to the four northern islands of the Bahamas (Andros, Abaco, Grand Bahama and New Providence) is also the only known home to the Critically Endangered Bahama Nuthatch. How long will it be before we know whether that little bird, that endemic species has survived Dorian?
Happier days birding along Owl Hole Road, before Hurricane Dorian. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
The endemic Bahama Warbler, photographed on Grand Bahama before Hurricane Dorian, occurs only on Grand Bahama and Abaco. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
This post-Dorian trip at Owl Hole we spotted four species for a total of 11 birds: one Common Ground Dove (in someone’s yard), three Turkey Vultures, five Palm Warblers and two Prairie Warblers. We were ecstatic to see our first bird, a Palm Warbler! (Owl Hole eBird checklist)
The Pine Forest habitat was inundated with salt-water and later burned with bush fires. (photo by Martha Cartwright)We were ecstatic to see our first bird, a Palm Warbler. There is not much food for birds, so each bird seen was a jubilation. (photo by Erika Gates)
Erika Gates pointing out the new growth in the scrub palm. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Some Encouragement in Lucayan National Park
Our next stop was the beautiful Lucayan National Park (LNP.) With the higher elevation around Ben’s Cave, no surge had flooded the Blackland Coppice. Recent rains had encouraged leaf growth. I saw my first Gray Catbird of the season. We marveled and took comfort in how quickly nature started to bring back her green mantle. One hundred and twenty-six species have been spotted in the Lucayan National Park. We walked the elevated Coppice area and saw just seven species, nine birds total. Not many, to say the least. (Lucayan National Park eBird checklist)
Gold Rock Beach before Hurricane Dorian. Downed casuarina trees along the shore are from previous hurricanes. Unless hauled away, the uprooted trees stay for… I don’t how long – decades? Casuarina eradication programs can’t keep up with this invasive species. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
The elevation near the Lucayan National Park Visitors’ Center afforded us a view of the ocean. This is unprecedented in our lifetimes; usually the elevation of the dune blocked the view. The dune with its sea oats, trailing Morning Glory and other dune stabilizers had been washed away by the storm. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Bridget stopped in her tracks at Lucayan National Park: we tried but were unable to get to Gold Rock Beach or even to the edge of the mangroves due to standing water and washed out boardwalks and trails. This area previously had wonderful paths, boardwalks and bridges through the mangroves to the beach and signs describing the birds and mangroves. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
On to the Wetlands
One of my favorite birding spots out east are the wetlands that run just inland from the beach. They are almost hidden from view and difficult to access. With good rains, the wetlands run from west of the oil bunkers down to Pelican Point. I always smile to think of Anthony Levesque birding out there, opening the car door and standing on the edge of the door so that he was high enough to see into the wetlands. He would have preferred the roof, but Frantz and I insisted on the door frame. On this trip, we didn’t need to stand on any part of the car. The vegetation had been stripped. Despite the better views, there were not many birds in the area. Again there was jubilation at seeing a Tri-colored Heron and a Little Blue Heron!
(Wetland near Statoil eBird Checklist).
The wetlands west of the oil storage tanks. We did not see visible signs of oil in the area, but we did not go into the water to take samples. (photo by Martha Cartwright)We were excited to spot a Tricolored Heron. (photo by Erika Gates)
Clean-up in progress at Equinor. (StatOil changed its name to Equinor.) The storm blew tops off some of the tanks and heavy oil covered the area. With all the work crews, equipment, and security, we did not even consider trying to access the beach south of the oil storage tanks. (photo by Martha Cartwright)Driving past the Equinor oil spill which is in the process of being cleaned up. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Wetlands east of the oil storage tanks were often filled with large wading birds, ducks, and shorebirds before Hurricane Dorian. One month post-Dorian, very few birds present. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
I love birding in the wetlands and on the beach at the “bend in the road” just before Pelican Point. The long, curving, isolated beach, with sandy shoals at low tide, is habitat for a variety of plovers, Sanderlings, American Oystercatchers, yellowlegs, warblers, egrets and herons. On this trip, no birds were spotted on the beach. Only a few Royal Terns and a Laughing Gull flew overhead. (Pelican Point wetlands eBird Checklist)
I think of this as Bend in the Road Beach. On the way east our birding groups always stop here to look for shorebirds. This picture was taken March 28, 2019. (photo by Martha Cartwright)Bend in the Road Beach one month after Hurricane Dorian, high tide. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Pelican Point: A Scene of Destruction
Our final eastern destination for the day was what used to be the beautiful, idyllic shoreline settlement of Pelican Point, host to the annual Coconut Festival. Dorian had transformed it from a dynamic, well-tended little village into a warzone of rubble and gutted houses. We left relief supplies with a woman, who said that only three homes were still habitable in the area.
Pelican Point before Hurricane Dorian, habitat for turtles and shorebirds. Not always in large numbers, but we have seen Piping Plovers, Semipalmated Plovers, Black-bellied Plovers and larger birds along the coast. I love when the Brown Pelican idles by. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Pelican Point Beach this past April during the annual Coconut Festival. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Same Coconut Festival beach after Dorian. Bridget is dwarfed by the roots of the downed casuarina tree. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Pelican Point Beach after Dorian. Photo taken from the location of the now missing Nesting Turtles sign. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Shorebirds were often seen along the Pelican Point beaches, particularly during migration. Here, before Hurricane Dorian, a photo of Sanderlings resting on the rocks near the gentle surf. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Same beach post-Dorian, but no Sanderlings spotted on this trip. In fact, no shorebirds at all were seen on the Pelican Point Beach. Is there no food on the damaged beach? (photo by Martha Cartwright)
This past week, while waiting to fill my bottles at a water station at the Anglican Church, I met a Mr. Laing from Pelican Point. He had lost his home, but with a smile he told me that like all the families in the area he planned on rebuilding! Pelican Point was his home and would continue to be his home. Time and again I am humbled by the resilience and strength of island people.
A Visit to High Rock
Our last stop heading back home to Freeport was at Marilyn Laing’s home in High Rock. Being on the higher side of the main street, the house avoided the brunt of the storm surge. Marilyn is General Manager at the Garden of the Groves, and during the week, with assistance from Sanitation Services, she is working hard on restoring the gardens. On weekends she works to restore her home and community. We dropped the last of our relief supplies off with Marilyn, whose house has been a depot for relief goods in High Rock. She is a member of our Grand Bahama Island Birders group and well-known to BirdsCaribbean for her excellent education work with youth. And of course, while at Marilyn’s we lifted our binoculars to see the warblers flitting through the trees.
Despite an owner’s efforts to protect a home from the hurricane, this photo shows the power of the surge that swept over much of Grand Bahama. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Our empty bus sits with Marilyn’s house in the background. It is just across the street from the house in the previous picture. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
The long ride back to Freeport. (photo by Martha Cartwright)
Recovery for Humans and Birds – and Some Rare Visitors
For some families in Grand Bahama, recovery will take years. For others, life seems almost “normal,” if you don’t visit certain parts of the community. Businesses and families are working hard to rebuild. (We do miss and need our tourists!)
And for the birds? It was sobering, but not surprising to see so few birds out east. Their instinct is for survival, and food is fundamental. Thanks to donations from BirdsCaribbean, our Grand Bahama Island Birders group has been distributing seed feeders and bags of wild bird seed, as well as hummingbird feeders and red nectar concentrate to anyone wanting to help our birds. Many people want to help our birds by making food available. Sarah left yoga class this morning with a seed feeder and a bag of seeds, asking, “May I take some more nectar?”
Again, thank you, Birds Caribbean.
Post-Dorian birders have been recording rare birds to the islands, perhaps vagrants after the hurricane. I’ve been excited to see a Hudsonian Godwit and a Yellow-headed Blackbird. Late yesterday afternoon, a Barn Owl sat in Erika’s garden long enough for us to get a good look at this normally elusive resident.
Playing Our Part…While the Birding Continues
What about habitat recovery? The Bahamas National Trust, in a recent article in the Bahamas Tribune, indicated that it would begin to conduct “comprehensive assessments to determine the impact of Dorian on wildlife.” We are happy to hear this. I encourage environmentalists and scientists worldwide to travel to these storm-ravaged habitats to assess the damage to water, soil, plants and animals; to search for our fragile endemic species; and to recommend steps to enhance recovery and minimize damage from future hurricanes.
Bird feeders, seeds, and nectar are a welcome start, but more will need to be done. I encourage BirdsCaribbean to continue their work. I implore the National Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, American Bird Conservancy, BirdLife International, Manomet, The World Wildlife Fund, and all other groups dedicated to the conservation of birds to assist BirdsCaribbean and Bahamas National Trust with our recovery.
As local birders, we will continue what we love to do…bird! We will report our findings to eBird Caribbean and the International Shorebird Survey (ISS). We will continue to distribute feeders and food for the birds. Mother Nature has already started to do her recovery work; no self-pity, no complaints, she will continue. Now it is time for each of us to insist that our governments and leaders take seriously the detrimental effect of climate change on our planet – and do their part. If you are reading this article, I am sure that you must care. You care deeply. I hope my story of the birds of East Grand Bahama after Dorian will encourage you to continue to act. You must know that your efforts will be appreciated, and are important.
Martha Cartwright receives her certificate from Lisa Sorenson at BirdsCaribbean’s “Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and their Habitats” Workshop in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, March 2019.
It’s raining now as I finish this article. Since our normally potable tap water is still salty, I stop to put out large coolers to catch the rainwater for my plants and bird bath. From my desk I spot a Smooth-billed Ani up in the fig tree. Oh, and two Eurasian Collared Doves.
Goodbye for now, from Grand Bahama – an island in recovery.
Martha Cartwright has been an avid birder on GB since 2014. She is particularly fond of shorebirds and participated in BirdsCaribbean’s Conservation Caribbean Shorebirds Workshop in Puerto Rico last March. Together with bird guru-in-chief, Erika Gates, and their close group of Grand Bahama Island Birders, they regularly carry out birding excursions and counts in many habitats on GB and also do a lot of habitat restoration, outreach, and education about birds and nature on the island.
BirdsCaribbean is extremely grateful to all who have donated to our Hurricane Dorian Recovery Fund; donations are providing bird seed, nectars and feeders, replacing equipment and infrastructure lost in the storm and helping to fund bird and habitat surveys and restoration in Grand Bahama and Abaco. We are working with the Bahamas National Trust and other partners on this recovery work. Please click here or here if you would like to help with this work.
Pristine and beautiful Gold Rock Beach in Lucayan National Park in 2003. We could not reach the beach to check its status and look for birds on our October 3rd, 2019 birding trip. (photo by Erika Gates)Another pic of beautiful Gold Rock Beach in Lucayan National Park. We could not reach this beach to check its status and look for birds on our October 3rd, 2019 birding trip. (photo by Erika Gates)
Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines is an innovative new avian field guide by co-authors Juliana Coffey and Alison (Aly) Ollivierre for the Grenadine archipelago shared between the countries of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada in the Eastern Caribbean. This is the first guide to specifically cover these transboundary islands, which are geologically, ecologically, historically, and culturally more similar to one another than to their respective mainland islands (Saint Vincent and Grenada). The book contains:
140+ pages of high-quality photographs of the birds and natural areas of the Grenadines
117 bird profiles with details on identification, diet, habitat, local knowledge, and sightings
14 detailed maps illustrating conservation areas and local toponyms on more than 50 islands and cays
Full chapter of previously undocumented local ecological knowledge, folklore, and prehistoric-to-modern-day human values of birds
To purchase via credit card (more buying options are listed below):
A page of seabird profiles in “Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines” with text detailing a description of each species, including identification, interesting facts, local knowledge, and symbols depicting habitat, diet, and migratory statusOne of the 14 detailed maps, featuring Mayreau and the Tobago Cays, in “Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines”First page of the “People and Birds” chapter of “Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines”
On one fateful rainy day in July 2011, Juliana and Aly met at the airport on Union Island where they had both just moved for work in their respective fields. Not only did they become neighbors, but they quickly became great friends. Early on in their friendship, they saw an opportunity to collaborate on their professional interests and passion for ornithology, cartography and participatory strategies for conservation and management. Both authors have a strong background in community-focused research with Juliana working in co-management and documenting local ecological knowledge amongst indigenous and fisherfolk communities in Canada, Saint Lucia and throughout the Grenadines, and Aly facilitating participatory mapping programs in the transboundary Grenadines and conducting research on participatory mapping in the Caribbean as a whole. Together their shared perspectives on the value of combining scientific with local ecological knowledge made for a perfect partnership.
Juliana and Aly have been living and working throughout the islands intermittently ever since, although not always at the same time or on the same island. Their continued commitment to completing this project allowed the book to be written and designed in all corners of the world—including at sea and remote field camps—as they regularly pursued other opportunities in their careers. They have conducted extensive literature and field research to ensure that this guide is regionally representative of the natural, cultural, and historical contexts of the islands. Local bird names, knowledge, and lore are highlighted throughout the book: compiled through consultation with over 100 stakeholders throughout the Grenadines.
The seven years the authors spent researching and writing Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines is evident in the book—the attention to detail and user-friendly design make the guide a valuable companion for any type of outing in the transboundary Grenadines! Juliana and Aly created this book with the following goals in mind:
serve as a valuable resource for local bird monitors to learn species identification and carry out surveys,
enhance the overall conservation and management of Grenadine resources,
educate the general public, and
be useful to both locals and foreigners with an interest in the avifauna of the region.
They’ve already received great feedback from local environmentalists, casual tourists, bird biologists, government officials and most importantly—the local fisherfolk and resource users who now take pride in seeing their knowledge represented in this publication. If you’re planning a trip to the Grenadines, this book is a must-have.
Alison Ollivierre (author), Lisa Sorenson (BirdsCaribbean Executive Director), and Juliana Coffey (author) at the book launch (Photo by Justin Proctor)
BirdsCaribbean was honored to officially launch this new and exciting avian field guide in July 2019 at their 22nd International Conference in Guadeloupe. Juliana gave a presentation on the local ecological knowledge research that went into the guide which provided additional information to the one Aly had given at the BirdsCaribbean 20th International Conference in Jamaica in 2017. After waiting four years since many of the BirdsCaribbean delegates had first learned about the upcoming book, everyone was excited to share in the celebration of this launch. The guide was especially praised for its skillful combination of scientific and local knowledge as well as its final chapter which focuses on interactions between people and birds in the Grenadines spanning from first occupation by Amerindians to the modern day.
The authors would like to thank everyone who assisted them throughout the duration of this project, including the more than 100 residents and visitors to the Grenadines who took the time to provide local knowledge and lore, and to all of the people that contributed to the crowdfunding and review of the book which made the publication possible. A complete list of acknowledgments is available in the book!
Buy the Book:
Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines can be purchased from BirdsCaribbean with a credit card below, or with a US check or postal money order made payable to BirdsCaribbean and mailed to 841 Worcester Street #130, Natick, MA 01760, USA.
Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines By Juliana Coffey and Alison Ollivierre 142 pages, section sewn softcover (7” x 5”), full color photographs and maps ISBN 978-1-9994585-0-8 Price: US$25 US shipping – $6.95 Canada shipping – $24.95
To purchase via credit card:
Please reach out to Alison Ollivierre if you’re interested in international shipping elsewhere and we can provide a shipping quote.
Books can be purchased within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada at local businesses, for more information visit: www.grenadinesbirds.com/avian-field-guide
Please also consider helping Juliana and Aly fulfill their goal of getting copies of the books into the hands of all of the schools and relevant community organizations in the transboundary Grenadines! So far, more than one third of the books that have left their hands have been donated. Help them keep up this momentum with any donations that you can.
Interview with the Authors:
How did you first become interested in birds and birding?
Juliana: I first became interested in wildlife in general at a very young age, and at just five years old (even though I couldn’t spell the word “biologist”) I told my family that’s what I wanted to grow up to become. This was likely due to the plethora of stray animals that my parents let me take home and care for, always stating “no more pets!”, but always having room for just one more. When I was sixteen, I officially began my career with birds during a summer internship with a world renowned ornithologist, Dr. Bill Montevecchi, at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and was exposed to both the field research aspect and community outreach.
Aly: I first got excited about birds at an Audubon Youth Camp in rural Vermont in the 1990s when I had the opportunity to mist net and band birds with an ornithologist. I saved up for months for the first edition Sibley field guide, went birding with anyone who would go with me, earned the Girl Scout birding badge, and even competed on a youth team in the World Series of Birding in 2002.
Where did you go from there, did you decide to become ornithologists?
Juliana: I was very fortunate after my internship, that Dr. Montevecchi recognized my passion for wildlife, and decided to keep me involved in his work throughout my undergraduate degree. When I was 18 years old, he sent me to Labrador, Canada, to work in the field with indigenous seabird harvesters. Although I initially expressed that I did not want to work with hunters, his statement that “sometimes hunters are the best conservationists” changed my perspective entirely. After I saw first-hand how skilled and knowledgeable these hunters were, I very quickly became an advocate for traditional ecological knowledge and resource harvesting issues in marginalized communities, and that branched my career in a completely different direction. Since that time, I have always advocated for the consultation of local communities and the documentation of such knowledge that is threatened to be lost in future generations. I focus on seabirds, and as such, I have spent a considerable amount of time at sea and in remote seabird colonies ranging from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean, and working with fisherfolk.
Aly: By the time I got to university I had a hard time choosing between my interests in the hard sciences (environmental science, biology) and social sciences (history, sociology, international studies, political science). When I took my first geography class, I knew that was the perfect field to combine all my passions (think: environmental geography, historical geography, political geography). My career specialties are in participatory mapping and cartography, and while I didn’t become the ornithologist I thought I might be as a kid, I’ve found a really great balance doing conservation work with a geospatial focus.
How did you first end up in the Grenadines?
Juliana: I had been working as a fisheries biologist for a co-management board in an Inuit territory (Nunatsiavut) in northern Labrador and elsewhere in the Arctic. Prior to that I had completed my Masters degree research in Saint Lucia. After departing my job in the north, I wanted to continue in the same field, but gain additional international experience. I applied for a placement through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and was matched with the Sustainable Grenadines, Inc. (SusGren)—a transboundary NGO—in the Grenadines, and worked on implementing multiple grants ranging from research to community outreach.
Aly: After graduating from undergrad and completing an internship at National Geographic, I received a really amazing research fellowship through the Compton Foundation which funded my facilitation of a participatory mapping project I designed to map the important historical, cultural, and ecological heritage sites throughout the transboundary Grenadines to strengthen the countries’ joint application for designation as a mixed (natural and cultural) marine transboundary UNESCO World Heritage site. Through this, I also had the opportunity to work with The Nature Conservancy and SusGren on the marine multi-use zoning plan for the Grenadines. After I finished up my fellowship year, I knew I had to find a way to come back and work in the islands again!
What made you decide to create this field guide?
Juliana: During my career with birds, I always collected and relied on avian field identification guides, that enabled me to effectively do my work. During my bird surveys on Union Island, however, I quickly became aware that there was no field guide for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, nor Grenada, and not even a complete bird list. So, in essence, I needed a bird book for the Grenadines! Through my previous experience in collecting traditional knowledge I also noticed that there was an opportunity to document unwritten information to promote awareness and valuation of birds amongst residents of the Grenadines. I told myself it would be complete in a year. Seven years later, and through my partnership with Aly, it exceeds what I originally envisioned it could be. I could not have completed such an extensive project alone, without Aly’s complementary expertise and commitment. She has had a remarkable patience with me throughout this project since I regularly tell her, “I’m going to sea for a month with no phone or internet – I’ll work on that when I get back”. At times, I was living in a tent and using a generator to charge my computer, so I could have an update to send Aly when I returned from remote field camps.
Aly: This book was Juliana’s brainchild, but I loved the idea and went with her to that first bird meeting she organized back in 2011 when she first floated the idea of a bird book specific to just Union Island! In early 2013 Juliana was still talking about how much she wanted to write this book and I offered to come on board and partner with her to help make it a reality. Given my work with participatory mapping in the Grenadines, I had a lot of knowledge and contacts across all the islands and knew that if we combined our extensive expertise, we could only succeed in making an even better book together!
What was your favorite part about the 7 years you spent working on the book?
Local Ecological Knowledge Interview with Christopher Bartholomew and authors Juliana Coffey and Alison Ollivierre on Carriacou in 2014 (Photo by Vendol Ollivierre)
Juliana: There have been many wonderful times throughout this project. While sometimes it felt like we may never complete the book, I can say what an honest relief it was to finally send it to the printers, and to personally pick them up at a jetty in Saint Vincent. I am also so honored now to be back in the Grenadines to be able to officially donate copies to fisherfolk, local NGOs, schools and others who either helped us along the way or who have an interest in preserving the birds of the Grenadines. We met a lot of great people along the way, and despite rarely seeing each other, Aly and I have remained best friends and continue to work with each other on other projects.
Aly: My favorite part was definitely when Juliana and I were able to do our local ecological knowledge interviews in 2014. It was really important to us to ensure that we had accurately collected as much local knowledge as we could from each of the Grenadine islands and it was also just a lot of fun to travel around and talk to people about birds with my best friend and our local liaison (aka my now-husband, Vendol Ollivierre).
What work are you still involved with in the Grenadines?
Juliana: Currently I am working as a consultant for Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) on the “Conservation of Key Offshore Island Reserves” in the Grenadines. After 20 years of working with seabirds around the world, and 8 years of coming to the Grenadines, I can say that this is a dream project for me. The seabirds in the Grenadines are present in globally significant numbers, yet are located in remote and inaccessible areas and afforded little attention or protection. I work to bring awareness to the plight of seabirds in this region, train local seabird monitors, promote awareness at all levels of society and, of course, get out to see the birds!
Aly: While I am currently based in the USA and working full-time making maps for National Geographic, I am still actively involved with projects in the Grenadines. I serve on the Board of Directors for We Are Mayreau, Inc., which manages the Mayreau Community Centre; I am an Associate with Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and assist with the Protecting Seabirds in the Transboundary Grenadines project; and I work for BirdsCaribbean as the Cartographer and the Caribbean Birding Trail (CBT) Project Coordinator. I also freelance as Tombolo Maps & Design and am currently working on a series of wall maps for the transboundary Grenadines!
September has come around again, and that means it’s time to head for your favorite birding spot (or spots) to count Caribbean shorebirds. World Shorebirds Day 2019 is Friday, September 6th.
This year’s Global Shorebird Count will take place from September 3 to 9, 2019. All across the Caribbean, birders will be compiling checklists from island to island and recording them on eBird Caribbean. BirdsCaribbean urges you to participate! Our migratory shorebirds are more vulnerable than ever, threatened by human activities that have changed their habitat. Most species of shorebirds are in decline around the world.
Where are these fascinating birds to be found? While you will find them on shores and beaches, some shorebirds use habitats further inland, including freshwater and brackish marshes and ponds. Shorebirds are also fond of salt ponds, mud flats, mangrove areas, and tidal flats. Last year, the Whimbrel, a regular migrant through the region, was selected as “Shorebird of the Year.”
eBird Caribbean is a critical tool for tracking and understanding bird migration and population changes – never more so than for our shorebirds. If you do not have an account, it is easy to register – here’s a quick start guide. A useful free mobile app is also available for recording your data in the field.
To make your submitted data visible to World Shorebirds Day, please be sure to share your checklist with worldshorebirdsday eBird username of World Shorebirds Day, or add shorebirdsday@gmail.com email address, to your contact list, and share all your related checklists with us. Only checklists made during the World Shorebirds Day count period between 3–9 September 2019 (inclusive) are eligible. Guidelines for sharing checklists are here.
We hope you will visit as many sites as possible during the 6 days of the count! For more tips on how to do the Global Shorebird Count, go to the World Shorebirds Day website.
For helpful resources on Shorebird ID, including our Shorebird poster, visit this page and this page.
Which species will be Shorebird of the Year 2019? Whichever one is selected – all our shorebirds are precious. The Global Shorebird Count is an important way to help us to learn more about them.
Participate in the International Shorebird Survey (ISS)!
Some of our birds are already on the move. BirdsCaribbean invites all shorebird lovers to schedule some extra counts during the migration season (August to October and March to May) by volunteering for the International Shorebird Survey, a year-round initiative organized by Manomet since 1974. On eBird Caribbean simply do a Caribbean Waterbird Census entry, choosing one of the CWC Count Protocols (Point Count, Traveling Count or Area Search) on Step 2 of “Submit observations” in eBird Caribbean. Fill out a Site Form if you are new to ISS.
Depending on the timing of migration, you may see a lot of birds or just a few at your site(s). Don’t be disappointed if you only see just one. Remember that very effort counts and adds to our knowledge of shorebirds and waterbirds and their habitat needs in the Caribbean!
Good luck and we look forward to hearing about your findings and seeing your photos! Please share on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page.
Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Handout from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that provides information about Piping Plover banding locations and how to read and record the flags for reporting.
It’s that time of year again – spring migration! Migratory birds have started making their way to the temperate areas of the globe for breeding, Some of these birds have spent the entire winter in the Caribbean and others are passing through as part of a longer journey. In both cases, the Caribbean provides essential habitat that supports these fearless travelers. Safe, clean places to rest and refuel are critical to their survival.
A round trip migration for the Pectoral Sandpipers can reach over 18,000 miles (30,000 km). (Photo by Nick Dorian)
Some of the longest trips made this spring will be completed by the arctic-breeding shorebirds. If you catch a glimpse of a Red Knot in the next few weeks, you are seeing it on just a small part of its 9,300 mile (15,00 km) journey! Shorebirds are both incredible athletes and world travelers: they can travel hundreds of miles a day without rest and pass over continents in weeks.
Capturing data of birds during migration is vital to understanding their status, distribution, and how they are using sites in the Caribbean throughout their life cycle. While you are out birding don’t forget to log your observations in eBird Caribbean. If you are visiting a wetland, please do a Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) count! The regional count occurs in January and February, but CWC data is collected year-round! When entering your data on eBird, on Step 2 “Date and Effort” page, be sure to choose either the “CWC Point Count” “CWC Traveling Count” or “CWC Area Search” observation type. (you can also choose one of these options if you are using the EBird Mobile app – adjust your settings – choose eBird Caribbean as your portal and the options will show up!)
Is that a Least Sandpiper or a Western?
Earlier this year, we redesigned an existing poster of common shorebirds in the Caribbean which features many of the sandpipers, plovers and larger shorebirds that you may see while birding. This poster is a great resource because: 1) it shows the relative size of the shorebirds to each other and 2) all the birds are in their winter plumage. In their non-breeding plumage shorebirds – especially peeps – can be challenging to identify. We hope that this resource is a helpful guide for those learning their shorebird identification.
The poster is also available in Spanish and French. Below the English common name and scientific name, the common name of the bird appears in Spanish for Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. For example, the Red Knot has three Spanish common names: Zarapico Raro (Cuba), Playero Gordo (Dominican Republic), and Playero Pechirrojo (Puerto Rico). If only two Spanish common names appear, this indicates that two of these three countries have the same common name for the bird.
Do you have access to a large format printer and want to have a hard copy of this beautiful resource? The poster is the perfect addition to wildlife offices, public education spaces, or to have on hand for events like presentations and bird festivals! Larger versions of the posters can be downloaded here: French, English and Spanish.
We very much appreciate the National Audubon Society and the Bahamas National Trust allowing us to redesign their original poster and for Manomet’s input during the process. We thank the Canadian Wildlife Service for supporting poster printing costs in 2019. Participants at the Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and Their Habitats Workshop were treated to small versions of the poster thanks to a generous donation from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
We are impressed. We are excited. We are hopeful. Yes, CWC 2019 has sparked some emotions among us all!
First and foremost, we at BirdsCaribbean wish to thank you – our partners, who joined in the 2019 Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). The Census is now in its tenth year of data collection by energetic birders across the region. Over the three-week count period ending on February 3rd, we received a total of 321 checklists from 19 countries, with 212 different species observed. We are deeply impressed by the work you have all put in!
This year’s CWC was unusual in some ways. We were not sure what to expect. In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria cut a swathe of chaos and destruction across parts of the region. Our birds suffered and struggled to survive, and conservationists struggled to recover along with them. Results from the CWC in 2018 a few months later were worrying. Our counters reported dramatic declines in the diversity and numbers, even of some of our most common bird species. We might have expected this as the hurricanes damaged fragile wetland habitats – which had already been threatened in recent years by human activities. Even though the storms occurred in 2017, those ecosystems still have a long road to recovery.
The results from this year were heartening, compared to the post-hurricane CWC results in 2018. There were quite a few surprises and records during the counts.
Locations of the sites surveyed during the 2019 Caribbean Waterbird Census (Map by Aly Ollivierre)
Encouraging Numbers
It’s early days yet. We won’t have a complete picture of how birds are recovering until we analyze all of the data. However, there have been promising reports from the field. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Canadian Wildlife Service led Piping Plover surveys with a team of partners and volunteers. The team counted 134Piping Plovers this year at six sites – compared to 62 plovers at three sites in 2018. Among these birds, the surveyors spotted 15 marked with unique leg codes (including ten from their own study!).
A group of Piping Plovers foraging in Cayo Paredon Grande, Cuba. (Photo by Martin Acosta)
The teams visited a variety of good shorebird sites including foraging sand and mud flats, salinas, and ponds. Black Rock, an area of islets and sandbar on the south side of Middle Caicos, came out top in terms of the range of species and numbers counted. Almost 1,500 shorebirds were spotted, including 180Red Knot (five of which were banded with unique codes). In the past, this location has yielded many bird sightings, but in the post-hurricane count last year numbers were lower (around 500 birds). This may have been due to the redistribution of sand from Hurricane Irma which limited good foraging habitat. The abundance of birds has since tripled – which is exciting news.
In Cuba, Professor Lourdes Mugica and her team from the University of Havana counted 41Piping Plovers in Cayo Paredon Grande on the north coast of the island. Lourdes reports that they observed more Piping Plovers in other areas. However, interestingly this is the largest flock her team has ever encountered in four years of CWC monitoring. Five of the birds were banded – these were read and reported in their eBird entry.
Is it too early to suggest that this lovable, endlessly fascinating bird is making a comeback?
Exciting Discoveries
Does this plover look suspicious to you? It’s a Common Ringed Plover, which should be overwintering in Africa. Seen in Guadeloupe, this is the third record for the Caribbean. (Photo by Anthony Levesque)
On to Antigua, where Andrea Otto and her team from the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) spotted a Wattled Jacana! Not only is this a new island record, but it is a first sighting for the West Indies. This range map from eBird Caribbean clearly shows that this is a South American species. In addition to the jacana, the group also saw an American White Pelican – a new record for the island. Both are incredible sightings – check out the eBird report here!
Andrea and Natalya Lawrence shared the news of the Wattled Jacana sighting, explaining the importance of the CWC and Antigua’s waterbirds in a lively television interview on the “Antigua Barbuda Today” morning show. To see the interview, complete with photos, advance to 2:05:15 here). Our partners at EAG really helped to put their island’s waterbirds on the map!
Nature Explorers Anguilla also had an unexpected American White Pelican during their CWC count at Meads Bay Pond in Anguilla. According to the literature available and eBird records, it would appear to be a first record for the island. Way to go team! Their eBird list is available here.
Anthony Levesque in Guadeloupe spotted a Common Ringed Plover. This is only the 2nd Guadeloupe and 3rd Caribbean record of this species! Common Ringed Plovers usually overwinter in Africa (see the eBird range map). They are quite a challenge to identify in the field, especially when they are supposed to be on the other side of the world! Read Anthony’s descriptive notes on his eBird list here.
In Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lystra Culzac spotted a single male American Wigeon. This is also a rare, and possibly first, sighting for the island.
Future CWC Surveyors in the Making
Students practice their waterbird identification in Jamaica during the CWC. (Photo by Ava Tomlinson)
In Jamaica, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) hosted 65 students to participate in the CWC in the Palisadoes, Port Royal Protected Area. Students learned about the importance of the area, which is a RAMSAR site close to the capital city of Kingston, and the species they might encounter. In addition, they learned about the impact of pollution on this fragile environment.
The students used materials from BirdsCaribbean, including “Wetland Birds of the Caribbean” and “Seabirds of the Caribbean,” identification cards, binoculars, and data sheets, and set out to record their observations. They worked in groups of four, validating the type of birds seen under the guidance of NEPA staff. The students were excited to see the Belted Kingfisher, Magnificent Frigatebird, Royal Tern, Ruddy Turnstone, and Sandwich Tern.
On World Wetlands Day, a group from BirdLife Jamaica counted in the same area, which is slated for tourism development – including a retractable pier for cruise ships that is already on the island. How will this affect the wetland habitat and the birds that shelter there? Time will tell. Among the species counted there was a “party boat” full of Laughing Gulls.
Disturbing Events
Grupo Acción Ecológica (Dominican Republic) discovered and removed over 300 traps for waterbirds during their CWC counts. Here, an American Flamingo is freed. (Photo by Maria Paulino)
Wetlands were the focus for Maria Paulino and her team from Grupo Acción Ecológica in the Dominican Republic. However, there were some unhappy discoveries. At one of the country’s important wetland sites, Monte Cristi on the north coast, the team found large traps designed to catch American Flamingos. Tragically, other species were casualties – including a dead Snowy Egret, a dead Reddish Egret – and two days later, a similar trap was found with three dead Tricolored Herons. The team freed one trapped flamingo from a trap.
Altogether, the team removed over 300 traps! This terrible situation was reported to the Environmental Department in Santo Domingo and (hopefully) this will pressure the government into taking some action. It is not clear what the fate of the flamingos would be when caught, but Maria Paulino has heard that they are sold to resorts and hotels.
What is the CWC?
The Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) is a multi-partner, region-wide waterbird and wetland monitoring program led by BirdsCaribbean. The goal of this program is to learn more about the distribution, status, and abundance of waterbirds in the Caribbean in order to better conserve and manage these beautiful birds and their habitats.
Environmental Awareness Group in Antigua discussed the CWC and their record findings in a television interview.
The program also aims to increase awareness, build capacity (for example through training workshops), and engage communities and volunteers in wetland monitoring and conservation. Ultimately, we want to identify and ensure that as many important wetland sites as possible are protected, thus nurturing the many fascinating bird species that live in them.
Since the program began in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl). The three-week regional counting period begins on January 14th and ends on February 3rd each year – just including World Wetlands Day (February 2nd).
However, this is not a “once per year” event – you certainly don’t have to wait until January of 2020 to join the CWC. We collect data all year-round! To learn more about migration routes and important stopover sites, everyone is asked to count waterbirds as often as possible throughout the year, especially during migration periods in fall (August-November) and spring (March-May).
The CWC forms part of the International Waterbird Census (IWC) – the largest volunteer waterbird count in the world, organized by Wetlands International and now in its 53rd year. We are still relatively “new kids on the block,” but after ten years we are making valuable contributions to the knowledge base for these critical but often overlooked species.
The collected data is recorded on the newly designed eBird Caribbean online platform.
Any time you are counting birds in Caribbean wetlands, you can enter your data on eBird as a CWC Point Count or Traveling Count. Make sure to choose one of these protocols on “Observation Type” if using the eBird Mobile app (be sure to choose eBird Caribbean portal in your Settings), or on Step 2 of data entry on your laptop.
A rare American Wigeon (male) spotted by Lystra Culzac and Glenroy Games in St. Vincent. (photo by Lystra Culzac)2019 CWC Survey team in the Dominican Republic – Kate Wallace, Maria Paulino and Daniel Mejia.
Over five days, 33 enthusiastic participants learned about shorebird identification, monitoring techniques and conservation strategies. They shared ideas, compared experiences, and trekked around watery habitats practicing new field skills. “We were thrilled to work with this enthusiastic group of conservationists this week,” said Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean. “They have all have pledged to use what they learned to help study and protect threatened shorebirds in their home countries.”
Why Shorebirds?
Shorebirds, like sandpipers and plovers, are among the most threatened groups of birds in the world. Most of them migrate incredible distances every year from high in the Arctic where they breed down to southern South America and back again. Some species, like the Red Knot, will fly over 9,300 miles (15,000 km) — and that’s just one way. Many migratory shorebird species, like Black-bellied Plovers, Greater Yellowlegs, and Semipalmated Sandpipers, rely on Caribbean wetlands to stop and refuel during their long journeys. Some even spend the entire winter! However, shorebird species have been in steady decline since the 1970s. This is due to several factors, all connected with human activities such as loss of habitat from development, disturbance on beaches, and hunting.
Black-bellied Plover (in winter plumage) at Combate Beach, Puerto Rico. This shorebird, and many other species rely on Caribbean beaches and wetlands for a safe haven during migration and overwintering. (Photo by Brad Winn)
The group of eager Caribbean conservationists at the workshop learned more about these threats, not only direct threats to shorebirds and waterbirds, but also to their habitats: beaches, mudflats, mangroves, and some agricultural areas. They also discussed best practices in monitoring the birds and conducting conservation activities. Importantly, they learned how to take part in two critical monitoring programs, the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and the International Shorebird Survey (ISS). All of this led to a deeper understanding of the birds’ ecology and conservation.
Another major threat to Caribbean shorebirds is plastic pollution, and the theme of World Migratory Bird Day 2019 reflects this: “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution.” With a growing awareness of the harmful impact of plastic across the region on public health and the environment, the group was soon busy with a cleanup at one of the field trip sites, collecting 50 pounds of trash. The exercise was led by Sheylda Diaz Mendez of Environment for the Americas (EFTA) and representatives from the Scuba Dogs Society. This was an excellent hands-on exercise for participants on the management and organization of a cleanup (which is not as easy as it sounds). Plus, the participants had fun, and were delighted to receive cleanup equipment to take back home, thanks to EFTA.
Sharing Experiences Reveals Common Themes
Group photo on the last day wearing our 2019 World Migratory Bird Day shirts—33 participants from 14 island nations. (photo by Ana Roman)
While the first three days focused on basic shorebird and waterbird identification, life history, threats to birds and habitats, and collecting and exploring data, the final two days turned to conservation solutions. After sharing the challenges they face in their countries, it was evident that many islands were experiencing similar issues. Facilitators and trainees then shared ideas and strategies for reducing threats.
In the coming days, participants will have the opportunity to apply for funding from BirdsCaribbean to carry out conservation activities on their islands. The group discussions and brainstorming sessions during the workshop were fantastic opportunities for participants to begin to develop project ideas for this funding. Depending on the threats and priorities at a given site, these projects might include activities such as shorebird and waterbird monitoring, public outreach and education, or a wetland cleanup.
Having people with the same interests and passions from across the region also had other benefits — reminding each other that we are all conserving birds together! “It’s really cool to see how many of us are actually doing this kind of work. Because when you’re on these islands, it’s just you, and you’re like, “The world is on my shoulders! These birds, I’m all they have!” said Shanna Challenger of the Environmental Awareness Group on Antigua. “And it’s really cool to see how many people we have working on the same thing.”
The group of students, wildlife managers and educators from both the government and the non-profit sectors represented 14 island nations: Antigua, the Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Maarten, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.
BirdsCaribbean also benefited from sharing experiences during the week with our partners and co-facilitators for the workshop, Manomet, Inc. Experts in shorebird identification, life history and habitat management, the Manomet team provided enthusiasm and invaluable insights in the classroom and in the field. Their Habitats for Shorebirds Project aligned with the goals of the workshop and BirdsCaribbean is very grateful for all of their help and expertise.
Practice Makes Perfect In the Field
Field trip within Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
In addition to 30 hours of classroom learning, the group went on six field trips to local wetlands throughout the week. The field trips around Cabo Rojo offered students the opportunity to identify birds in the field and to practice count methods. “The workshop was amazing!” said Zoya Buckmire of the Grenada Fund for Conservation. “We went to a variety of wetland habitats from salt ponds to lakes to beaches. We got to see many different birds and learned some fantastic techniques for identifying and counting them.”
Shorebirds in their non-breeding, or wintering, plumage are notoriously difficult to identify. Sometimes only subtle details harbor the clues. Are the legs black? Are the wingtips longer than the tail? Does the bill droop slightly at the tip?? By the end of the week, the group was becoming more confident in the field marks for tricky birds. The Least Sandpipers at Cabo Rojo Salt Flats were a welcome new species for the group, though many were not convinced of the “yellow” in their yellow-green legs! However, with a week of field trips, it became clear to all that the more you practice, the better you are at field identification.
The workshop ended on a high, with two final field trips to Laguna Cartagena and Salina Fortuna. These were excellent places to practice flock estimation and point counts. While several species of herons and egrets and hundreds of Black-necked Stilts and Glossy Ibis were observed, taking a good look at more secretive species like the Clapper Rail and Sora were a perfect way to end the week. All participants received new Vortex binoculars and ten organizations received a new Vortex spotting scope and tripod – “must-have” equipment for monitoring programs and ensuring proper identification. The group also received field guides and other resources for bird identification and data collection.
Participant Perspectives
A group enthusiastic to clean up shorebird habitat! (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
The participants came away with plans to share their newfound knowledge with colleagues. “Thank you so much for always providing opportunities for conservationists in the Caribbean like myself,” wrote Laura Baboolal from Trinidad. She aims to start a shorebird monitoring program for Trinidadian wetlands, and adds: “We hope this can evolve into something greater…Hoping to have some exciting news soon!”
Most Caribbean people live on or near the coast, but have not appreciated or learned much about the birds that inhabit their seashores and wetlands. One of these was participant Reneive Rhoden, from Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency. “I’ve learned so much about shorebirds!” said Reneive. “I grew up on the seaside and I didn’t know anything about shorebirds – and now I know a lot! I can now teach my kids, children in school, and Jamaicans that I work with in my job.”
We are very grateful to the following generous sponsors and partners for contributing to this workshop: Manomet, Inc.; Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network; Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña; US Fish and Wildlife Service (Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Fund); US Forest Service International Programs; Environment Canada; The Cornell Lab of Ornithology; Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Para La Naturaleza; Optics for the Tropics, Inc.; Environment for the Americas; Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and Vortex Optics.
We invite you to enjoy the gallery of photos below. Hover over each photo to see the caption or click on the first photo to see a slide show.
Taking a closer look at shorebird food resources. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Birding at Combate Beach (L to R): Jeanette Victor, St. Lucia; Lisa Sorenson, BirdsCaribbean; Kristy Shortte, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Reneive Rhoden, Jamaica. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
In the classroom at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Perfect waterbird habitat at Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Participants presenting their group discussions about shorebird conservation. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Reneive Rhoden helps clean up the refuge. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Early morning birding at Combate Beach. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Looking at a Spotted Sandpiper on the beach. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Group photo after the beach cleanup. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Birding in Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
Getting a closer look always helps with ID. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Cataloging trash collection. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Brad Winn reveals shorebird food using a sieve. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Anderson Jean and Francoise Benjamin practicing plover ID with Brad Winn. (Photo by Jessica Cañizares)
Setting the scope high. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Lisa Sorenson discusses threats to birds and their habitats with a group. (Photo by Monica Iglecia)
Workshop participants and facilitators group photo at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico. Everyone is wearing their World Migratory Bird Day t-shirts: Be the solution to plastic pollution. (photo by Ana Roman)
The Avalon is setting sail again this May for important shorebird and seabird conservation and research. The mission is a continuation of on-the-ground protective and restorative measures to limit human-caused disturbance and control invasive Australian pine at key shorebird and seabird sites in The Bahamas with support from Conservian, BirdsCaribbean, Bahamas National Trust, and partners.
Volunteers Needed!
Our days will be filled with much adventure aboard the 75ft schooner “Avalon”. (Photo by Margo Zdravkovic)
We need your help to protect beach-nesting birds, nests & young. Conservian is seeking a weekly crew of 10 enthusiastic volunteers for our Bahamas shorebird habitat conservation project in May 2019 aboard our 75ft research schooner. Crews fly to the Bahamas each week to designated airports for shuttle transport to schooner. All trips include bunk, onboard meals, water, & ground transportation associated with project. Cost for week 1 or 2 trips is $1,750 per week. Week 3 patron trip cost includes “student sponsorship” and additional itinerary of cultural and historic site visits on Great Exuma. Please see website for more information at Coastalbird.org A valid passport is required. Airfare & insurance are not included.
This is a wonderful opportunity to gain field experience and shorebird ID skills or simply a once in a lifetime experience! Last year, BirdsCaribbean’s own Jennifer Wheeler joined the trip. Read all about her amazing adventures here.
May 2019 Expedition Dates & Locations:
American Oystercatcher with chick. (Photo by J. Gray)
Choose one week or more! Each week includes 7 nights aboard the schooner
Week 1: Joulter Cays & S. Andros- May 5-12 (Nassau Int Apt)
Week 2: Northern Exumas – May 12-19 (Nassau Int Apt/Exuma Int. Apt)
Week 3: All Exumas (including Great Exuma) – May 19-26 (Exuma Int. Apt/Nassau Int. Apt)
Project Crew Activities:
Protect, post & sign shorebird & seabird sites
Collect new data on nesting shorebirds, seabirds & habitat
Locate & protect shorebird & seabird nests & downy young
Control invasive Australian pine on beach habitats (select trips)
Work with local volunteers to accomplish the above goals
Snorkel reefs in gin clear waters
Learn sailing crew skills
Fish for dinner-catch of the day!
To join our conservation pirate crew please contact Margo Zdravkovic at MargoZ@Coastalbird.org Go to Coastalbird.org for more information on our 2019 expedition and Conservian’s coastal bird conservation work.
Aerial photo of prime shorebird habitat on Andros.
IMPORTANT: Applicants must be responsible, adventurous, in good physical condition, enjoy working in teams & be capable of walking several miles during warm weather on Bahamas beaches. Applicants must be comfortable living communally onboard a schooner for a week & riding in small boats to access survey sites.
A stunning Purple Gallinule enjoying a wetland in Cuba. (Photo by Arnaldo Toledo)
2019 marks the 10th annual Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and we need your help surveying all types of waterbirds on your island! Anyone can participate in the CWC. Grab a friend, head out to your nearest wetland or beach, and record the birds you see. Detailed information about how to conduct surveys can be found here.
Starting in 2010, dedicated bird enthusiasts have ventured into the wetlands across the Caribbean to systematically survey all types of waterbirds (shorebirds, seabirds, wading birds, marshbirds, and waterfowl) each January 14th to February 3rd. The Caribbean is home to over 185 species of waterbirds, including a number of endemic and globally threatened species and many migrants. A structured, ongoing survey is essential for understanding how to best conserve this exceptional group of birds and manage their habitats.
The Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire were recently designated a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance as a direct result of survey efforts. With the survey data we collected, our team was able to provide evidence that the site met the criteria for listing. Now, Cargill is dedicated to managing habitat for shorebirds on their property. It’s amazing what birding can achieve!
Why Is the CWC Important?
Ruddy Turnstones are common winter shorebirds in the Caribbean. (Photo by Arnaldo Toledo)
Since 1900, 64% of the world’s wetlands have disappeared, and the Caribbean region is no exception to this crisis. Wetlands are in urgent need of conservation. They are unique ecosystems that provide critical habitats to specialist species. Yet, they face many threats ranging from complete conversion due to development, degradation due to pollution and introduced species, and loss due to sea-level rise.
The waterbirds that rely on wetlands not only face the threats of their habitat being altered or destroyed but also hunting and introduced predators. In order to properly manage habitat for waterbirds in the Caribbean, we need to understand waterbird population trends. In addition, monitoring the health of waterbird populations and their habitats is beneficial to both birds and people, since we rely on the same habitats for our health and well-being.
In 2017, Hurricanes Irma and Maria wreaked havoc in the Caribbean, damaging fragile wetland ecosystems. Results from the CWC in 2018 several months later were concerning, with our counters reporting dramatic declines in common bird species diversity and abundance. Have these sites recovered? We are hopeful and can’t wait for the results from the 2019 CWC!
Good luck, have fun, and we look forward to hearing about your findings. If you have any photos to share, please share them on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page.
Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Need Help?
Find a tricky shorebird in winter plumage that you can’t identify? Need help setting up an eBird account? Want to participate in the CWC but you’re not sure how to get started? Please contact us at info@birdscaribbean.org.
A Note on Entering CWC Data in eBird
CWC data is stored on eBird Caribbean. If you participate in the CWC, it’s very important that you enter your data through this website using the correct protocol on Step 2, because this is where we collate all the data used for analyses. We don’t want to miss a single bird or site! Simply making an eBird list during these dates is not enough- the protocol is required for it to be CWC data.
If you are using a desktopcomputer to enter your data:
Sign into your account on ebird.org/Caribbean
Enter location information
Select the appropriate CWC protocol under Observation Type
If you recorded your CWC data using the mobile eBird app:
After you have submitted your checklist on your smartphone:
Log into eBird on a desktop computer
Click on “My eBird” at the top of the screen
Click on “Manage My Checklists” on the right menu
For your CWC checklist, click on “View or Edit”
Click on “Edit Date and Effort”
For Observation Type, select “Other” and then choose the appropriate CWC protocol
Another short entertaining video in our series celebrating our 30th Anniversary! Thanks to our members and partners for sharing your thoughts with us in creative and entertaining ways!
First up is our partner, Sustainable Grenadines Inc. (SusGren), based in Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Drone footage shows recent progress on the restoration of Ashton Lagoon, which is underway now! After more than 12 years of hard work and perseverance, this -mangrove-salt pond-coral reef ecosystem damaged by a failed marina development is being restored to its former glory. BirdsCaribbean has been a partner on this project from the very beginning! Our initial Wetlands Education Training Workshop way back in 2004 was the catalyst for this work and we have assisted with fundraising and project planning. Congrats to SusGren Team and we look forward to further updates!
Next up is Hannah Madden, a biologist working with the Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute based in St. Eustatius. She has been studying the nesting ecology of Red-billed Tropicbirds on St. Eustatius since 2012 but also conducts research and monitoring on other avifauna, such as the Bridled Quail-dove. Hannah is Secretary of the Board of Directors of BirdsCaribbean starting Jan 2018. She is an active member, attending our various workshops and conferences, carrying out waterbird monitoring through the Caribbean Waterbird Census. and leading local education events for World Migratory Bird Day and the Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival. She has published a number of papers on different taxonomic groups, but always tends to gravitate towards birds.
Jeff Gerbracht is the Lead Application Developer for eBird at the Cornell Lab or Ornithology. Jeff has been a long-time member and key partner of BirdsCaribbean. He has provided critical help to us in developing our bird monitoring programs as well as our own eBird Caribbean online portal. Jeff is a facilitator at many of our training workshops and conferences. His enthusiasm, knowledge, and love of birds is inspiring. Thanks to Jeff for donating so much time to us to help us advance conservation of Caribbean Birds!
Anthony Levesque has discovered over 40 species never before recorded in Guadeloupe and banded more than 10,000 birds. He is currently carrying out research to advance our knowledge of the impacts of hunting on shorebirds in Guadeloupe. When he is not shaving ;-), he is also the Guadeloupian coordinator of the World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) since its inception in 2006 and served as Regional Coordinator for many years. Anthony is co-chair of our Checklists Working Group. He is a founding member of AMAZONA – a local bird NGO, active in Guadeloupe with over 300 members. His enthusiasm and sense of humor are always a delight!
We first met Binkie van Es in 2014 when he attended our BirdSleuth Caribbean International Training Workshop, an innovative education program that reaches thousands of youth across 18 islands. Since then Binkie has been putting what he learned to excellent use in Sint Maarten/ St. Martin, educating hundreds of youth and community members about the beauty and value of our birds. Recently retired, Binkie is also a certified bird guide – he took our Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop in 2016 and has been helping visitors and residents alike to find and enjoy birds on his home island. Binkie’s passion is infectious – we are lucky to have him as a partner for both education and bird tourism!!!
Ricardo Miller works as a biologist for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) in Jamaica. He is committed to doing all he can to ensure that Jamaica’s birds and wild places are conserved for future generations to enjoy. He does this through his work at NEPA and also tireless volunteer efforts educating youth in schools and taking Jamaicans out birding for our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day. Ricardo is also an outstanding bird guide and has own business, Arrowhead Birding. For 30 years BirdsCaribbean has provided conservationists across the Caribbean the ability to share information and strategies for studying and conserving birds and their habitats through training workshops, conferences, working groups and regional projects, as well as the academically acclaimed Journal of Caribbean Ornithology.
Sincere thanks to Esther Figueroa (Vagabond Media) for putting together this video and Ingrid Flores, JC Fernández-Ordóñez, and José Colón-López for Spanish translation. Thanks to SusGren for their awesome drone mini-video. Photographs are by Sipke Stapert (Brown Pelican) and Tadas Jucys (Purple-throated Carib, Shutterstock). Special thanks to our members, partners and supporters who make this work possible!!!
In case you missed them, view our other fun 30th Anniversary videos at links below:
Migratory shorebirds like Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings rely on Caribbean beaches and wetlands for a safe haven during migration and overwintering. (Photo by Max Schwenne.)
BirdsCaribbean and Manomet, working with their partners are pleased to invite interested persons to participate in a five-day international training workshop entitled, “Conserving Caribbean Shorebirds and their Habitats.” This comprehensive workshop will cover shorebird identification, monitoring techniques, and shorebird ecology and conservation issues. The workshop is classroom and field-based and will take place at Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Puerto Rico from February 11-15, 2019. The deadline to apply is December 14, 2018.
The Caribbean islands have a diversity of wetlands, which are known to be vitally important for migratory shorebirds (including most of the focal species in the Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Conservation Initiative). There are still large gaps in our knowledge of waterbirds at these sites, however. In addition, many of the region’s wetlands and inlets have been destroyed, while those remaining are threatened by development, pollution, invasive species, impacts from climate change, and more. Monitoring waterbird populations and their habitats and undertaking conservation actions to protect them is essential to not only birds, but also people.
About the workshop
Some of the participants of the Turks and Caicos Islands Piping Plover Census. (photo by Elise Craig)
The purpose of the workshop is to:
increase appreciation for a suite of bird species that represent limited and highly imperiled habitats of wetlands, coasts, and grasslands
share information on the ecology of waterbirds and the threats that they face
provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to significantly contribute to our understanding of waterbirds through direct involvement in international monitoring programs
inspire and facilitate involvement in conservation actions, including raising public awareness, alleviating threats, and restoring habitats that have been damaged
grow our regional network of people involved in the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and International Shorebird Survey (ISS), and stewardship of our shared waterbirds
The long-term goals of this workshop include the creation of a network of important sites in the insular Caribbean that will be protected and managed to ensure the long-term survival of migratory and resident waterbird species, and to work with partners at priority sites to improve habitats that support healthier waterbird populations.
Participants will learn about Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) and the International Shorebird Survey (ISS). There will be opportunities to practice shorebird-waterbird identification and field methods during daily field trips to Puerto Rico’s wetlands. Participants will also identify threats to their wetlands, learn about management techniques for alleviating those threats, and how to approach management challenges. After the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to apply for a small grant (~$1K to $5K) to carry out their own shorebird projects.
Topics to be covered in the 5-day workshop include:
Overview of the Caribbean Waterbird Census and the International Shorebird Survey and how to design and implement a monitoring program
Field training in identifying and counting waterbirds and monitoring wetland habitats
Shorebird life history—migration strategies, stopover ecology, reproduction
Threats to shorebirds and wetland habitats and conservation and management strategies
Developing a strategy for the use of citizen scientists (volunteers) in bird monitoring and conservation
Case studies for successful monitoring and conservation
Building sustainability for long-term monitoring
Data entry and use of e-bird as a data storage platform for bird observation data
Data analysis, writing reports, and sharing information with decision makers and the public.
Who should attend the workshop?
Practice counts of wetlands birds at a training workshop in New Providence, Bahamas.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about waterbird monitoring techniques and/or would like to initiate/participate in a waterbird and wetland monitoring program and carry out conservation actions at a local site or sites (including potential trainers and participants). Preference will be given to persons who are: a) working in protected areas, on wetland conservation, or monitoring with government agencies or NGOs in Caribbean countries with globally important wetlands such as Ramsar sites, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network sites, and/or Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and b) interested in getting involved with the CWC and ISS as national coordinators or site coordinators.
Funding and Logistics
Travel and subsistence funding will be provided for selected participants. Participants who can contribute all or part of their costs will also be welcome. A limited amount of funding from is available to cover the cost of meals, accommodation (if required), workshops materials (e.g., all participants will receive binoculars, bird field guides, etc.) and field trip transportation. Participants should plan to arrive in Puerto Rico on February 10th and depart on February 16th.
American Oystercatcher grabbing a crab breakfast on the beach in Puerto Rico. (photo by Rafy Rodriguez)
The Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 and lies along the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. It is one of the nine refuges managed by the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The salt flats of Cabo Rojo are managed under a special use permit with a private operator, who continues to manage water levels as part of a commercial salt-harvesting operation. Water levels on the salt flats are also managed with the needs of shorebirds in mind. This area is considered the most important stop over for migratory birds and shorebirds in the Eastern Caribbean. The migratory birds use the refuge during the cooler months, while resident species are present year-round. Because of the importance of salt flats to shorebirds, especially to Snowy Plover and Wilson’s Plover, the area was designated a WHSRN site of Regional Importance. To date, 245 plant species and 145 bird species have been identified on Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge.
About the CWC
BirdsCaribbean has been working to build capacity for waterbird and wetland conservation in the region. The Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC) Program—a partnership of Caribbean organization, communities, and individuals that monitor waterbirds—was established to help us study, monitor and conserve migratory and resident waterbirds and the habitat they need to survive. We have had great success in growing the program in recent years, however, there are still large gaps in our knowledge and coverage of important wetlands.
The objectives of the CWC are to:
Promote inventories, surveys and censuses of waterbirds and their habitats in all Caribbean countries
Encourage broad-based participation in waterbird counts including NGOs, governmental agencies, institutions, communities and volunteers
Ensure that as many internationally and nationally important sites as possible are conserved and monitored
Increase awareness of conservation issues related to wetlands and waterbirds and what can be done to address these issues.
The CWC is part of Wetland International’s global waterbird census programme called the International Waterbird Census (IWC); different regions of the world all take part in this census (e.g., Neotropical Waterbird Census, African Waterbird Census, etc.) which can be adapted to any country’s objectives and capacity.
The International Shorebird Survey (ISS) is a large citizen science project, first established in 1974, now with contributors throughout the western hemisphere generating shorebird counts that are used widely to understand shorebird population trends and identify sites of regional and international importance.
BirdsCaribbean would like to thank the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Manomet, Inc., Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña, and the Canadian Wildlife Service for funding and support for this workshop.
BirdsCaribbean (BC) is celebrating our 30th Anniversary and we are getting messages from across the Caribbean thanking us for our work. Please enjoy this two-minute glimpse of our exciting work with founding members and some of our youngest and most enthusiastic bird conservationist from the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines.
First up are Joe Wunderle, PhD, an icon of Caribbean ornithology and conservation, and Kate Wallace, educator extraordinaire, from the Dominican Republic (DR). Joe is a founding member of BirdsCaribbean and wildlife biologist at the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, US Forest Service, in Puerto Rico. Joe has studied the ecology of many birds in Puerto Rico and the region, including the Bananaquit, Kirtland’s Warbler and Puerto Rican Parrot. He has contributed to their conservation through his research findings and mentoring of countless students and BC members.
Kate joined the flock right after Joe. She has lived in the DR for 24 years, working first with the Peace Corps and then as a volunteer with BirdsCaribbean, Sociedad Ornitologica de la Hispaniola, Grupo Jaragua, and Grupo Acción Ecologica. Kate has been involved in our programs since the beginning, giving countless West Indian Whistling-Duck and Wetlands Workshops, coordinating Caribbean Waterbird Census counts, and organizing events for our Caribbean Endemic Bird Festival and World Migratory Bird Day each year. Oh, and did I mention Kate also promotes sustainable bird tourism and leads tours? She helped with Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop in the DR and co-authored (with Steve Latta), Ruta Barrancoli: A Bird-finding Guide to the Dominican Republic.
Next take a virtual flight with us to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to meet Lystra Culzac and her students. Lystra is founder and director of SCIENCE (Science Initiative for Environmental Conservation and the Heritage Museum and Science Centre of SVG. Through BirdSleuth Caribbean and other bird education programs delivered by Lystra and her dedicated team, the children of St. Vincent are fast becoming expert bird watchers, knowledgable about science, and budding conservationists.
Then, hear from US Geological Survey biologist, Elise Elliot-Smith, how BirdsCaribbean has helped her connect with researchers and conservationist across the islands as, together, they work to protect endangered Piping Plovers and other shorebirds of conservation concern throughout their wintering range. We are grateful to Elise and all involved in these efforts!
Through BirdsCaribbean, and its in-country partners, our programs are engaging young and old in direct conservation, opening doors for scientific and educational exchange, and promoting sustainable livelihoods in ecotourism. By the end of the two minutes I am sure you will agree with life-long BirdsCaribbean supporter, Nick Sorenson that BirdsCaribbean is “the greatest organization on the planet.” 😊 So what are you waiting for, grab a cup of shade-grown coffee, sit back and enjoy an inspirational moment. You deserve it – we would not be here without your support!
Lystra Culzac (Director of SCIENCE) and children in St. Vincent and the Grenadines say thanks to BirdsCaribbean.
Thank you to Esther Figueroa (Vagabond Media) for putting together this video for us, Ingrid Flores for Spanish translation, and Jerry Bauer for videography. Photographs in the video are by Dax Román E. (Hispaniolan Trogon), Walker Golder (Piping Plover), Aslam Ibrahim Castellón Maure (American Flamingo), Steve Estvanik (Whimbrel), Wilfred Marissen (Ruddy Turnstone), Kevin Le (Painted Bunting), Dax Román E. (Black-crowned Palm Tanager), Jose Miguel Pantaleon (Hispaniolan Woodpecker), Frantz Delcroix (Barbuda Warbler), and St. Vincent Tourism Authority (St. Vincent Parrot).
Piping Plover “AP” spotted on Cayo Coco Beach in Cuba, March 2018. It was banded in New Brunswick, Canada in 2017. (photo by Lisa Sorenson)
“Almost daily, we learn more about what astonishing creatures shorebirds are, but at the same time how their populations are disappearing,” said Dr. Charles Duncan, Former Director of the Shorebird Recovery Project and BirdsCaribbean Director-at-Large . “World Shorebirds Day celebrates their wonder and brings attention to their plights. And in that celebration, we are reminded of our connectedness to one another and all life on this good green planet.”
World Shorebirds Day logo featuring a Ruddy Turnstone.
World Shorebirds Day 2018 – Thursday, September 6 – is about more than raising awareness of these beautiful, sometimes elusive birds. Sadly, we also need to recognize that around half of our shorebird species are in decline globally. Critical habitat is shrinking – in particular the stopover sites where the migratory birds take a pause, or spend the winter. These include the remarkable Cargill Salt Ponds in Bonaire, recently designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site of Regional Importance, Cabo Rojo Salt Flats in Puerto Rico, the first WHSRN site in the region, and many more.
World Shorebirds Day is an opportunity to learn more about the birds and their lifecycles. Moreover, citizen scientists can take action and participate in the Global Shorebird Count. You never know what unusual birds may appear in your binocular lens! Last year, a female Common Eider showed up in Bermuda. This year, a BirdsCaribbean birding tour in Cuba came across a leucistic Willet in the Zapata Swamp in March, as well as a banded Piping Plover, spending the winter in the Cayo Coco Cays on the north coast.
Note the leucistic (nearly white) Willet in the middle of a flock of Willets and Short-billed Dowitchers in Las Salinas, Zapata Swamp, Cuba. (photo by Ernesto Reyes)
Caribbean birders can register their chosen birding site via Google Maps hereand then do their shorebird count on the weekend of September 5-11, 2018, submitting findings on eBird Caribbean. If you’re new to eBird, check out this Quick Start guide. Note that shorebirds are a type of waterbird and any counts you do at wetlands, mangroves, mud flats, coastal areas or beaches count as Caribbean Waterbird Census counts. To increase the value of your count to science, be sure to count ALL birds at your site, including seabirds, herons and egrets, land birds, etc. This year, Bermuda Audubon Society will participate in the count by exploring Spittal Pond on September 8th.
To make your submitted data visible to World Shorebirds Day, please be sure to share your checklist with worldshorebirdsday eBird username of World Shorebirds Day (WorldShorebirdsDay) or add shorebirdsday@gmail.com email address, to your contact list, and share all your related checklists with us (only checklists made during the World Shorebirds Day count period between 1–7 September 2017 are eligible). Guidelines for sharing checklists are here.
Participate in the International Shorebird Survey (ISS)!
Some of our birds are already on the move. BirdsCaribbean invites all shorebird lovers to schedule some extra counts during the migration season (August to October and March to May) by volunteering for the International Shorebird Survey, a year-round initiative organized by Manomet since 1974. On eBird Caribbean simply do a Caribbean Waterbird Census entry, choosing the “CWC Point Count” or “CWC Area Search” on Step 2 of “Submit observations” in eBird Caribbean. After uploading, share the checklist with username “ISSData.”
Depending on the timing of migration, you may see a lot of birds or just a few at your site(s). Don’t be disappointed if you only see just one. Remember that very effort counts and adds to our knowledge of shorebirds and waterbirds and their habitat needs in the Caribbean!
Good luck and we look forward to hearing about your findings and seeing your photos! Please share on our BirdsCaribbean Facebook page.
Banded Birds
Be sure to be on the lookout for banded birds! Especially Piping Plovers, Red Knots, Semipalmated Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, and Sanderlings. You may report your sightings to BandedBirds.org and the USGS Bird Banding Lab which oversee all banding in the United States.
Handout from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that provides information about Piping Plover banding locations and how to read and record the flags for reporting.
Short-billed Dowitchers and Willets look a lot alike! (photos by Peter Hawrylyshyn, Macaulay Library ML82816481 & David Raynor).
I recently attended BirdsCaribbean’s week-long Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Training Workshop on Union Island in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. I learned many things, including bird identification, guiding techniques and the importance of conveying a message on your tour. One of the highlights of the training for me, however, was learning to identify shorebirds.
Most shorebirds have long, skinny legs and long bills, allowing them to wade and feed on insects and other food in the shallow water and mud. Their long, pointed wings help them to fly quickly over long distances—many migrate each year from the Arctic to South America and the Caribbean. As an amateur birder, I am fascinated by the variety, similarities and subtle differences that exist between shorebirds.
During the training, we had the opportunity to visit Ashton Lagoon, Belmont Salt Pond and Richmond Bay on Union island, as well as the Salt Pond on the island of Mayreau. We observed a large variety of birds including plovers, turnstones, sandpipers, dowitchers, yellowlegs and Whimbrel and American Oystercatcher. The Willet, which belongs to the sandpiper family, and the Short Billed-Dowitcher initially posed the largest challenge for me to tell apart.
At first glance through my binoculars, I recognized the Willet as large and stocky with long legs and a thick, straight bill. The Short-billed Dowitcher bears a striking resemblance but is speckled which gives the appearance of nutmeg sprinkled along its back. The Short-billed Dowitcher also has a distinctive football-shaped tummy. Time and again, I had trouble with the ID. Once the Willet took flight, however, the black and white stripe along its wings became easily discernible and all confusion vanished from my mind!
Short-billed Dowitchers (above) and Willets (below) (photos by Jeff Gerbracht & Lisa Sorenson). Short-billed Dowitchers can be distinguished from Willets by their longer bill, which is yellowish at the base, white eyebrow stripe, “buffalo” hump when their head is down, yellowish-green legs, barring on flanks, and distinctive feeding method of probing up and down in the mud like a sewing machine.
The facilitators were very knowledge, insightful, and patient with the participants. They were willing to share and there were many opportunities to ask questions during coaching sessions in the field, as well as birding quizzes in the classroom. They motivated us by explaining that it was normal to make identification errors in the early stages of birding. They then highlighted subtle tricks that can be used to distinguish similar species such as the call, the way the bird moves, size and shape of the bill, and color patterns in the plumage.
As one of the leading nature-based personalized tour operators on the Island of Carriacou, I found immense value in this training workshop. My certification as a Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide provides me with a unique selling point and will significantly improve my ability to provide my guests with biologically and ecologically sound information on the birds we encounter.
Despite my significant improvement in shorebird identification, my biggest “take home” is the fact that I am a novice birder – and that I should not be afraid to tell a client that I cannot identify a bird we may encounter. I may be accompanying a very accomplished bird watcher, who would be able to identify the species and provide me the opportunity to learn from their experience. We can learn so much from each other—I am looking forward to this!
The Willet has a unique black and white pattern on its wings, which shows in flight and clinches ID of this species (photo by Andrew Dobson). The Short-billed Dowitcher has a white rump stripe extending part way up the back (no white on wings).
By Allison Caton. Allison is the Managing Director of Isle of Reef Tours in Carriacou, Grenada. She has worked as a guide for 4 years. Allison was one of 24 participants in BirdsCaribbean’s Caribbean Birding Trail Guide Training Workshop, held in Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, May 27 to June 1, 2018. The workshop was hosted and organized locally by Sustainable Grenadines Inc. Workshop topics were related to building a sustainable tourism market focused on birds, nature, and heritage, including bird identification and guiding, environmental interpretation, and marketing. With the training she has received, Allison is excited to start offering bird watching tours to her customers.
Editor’s Note
Allison Caton studies her bird ID cards to figure out a bird, along with fellow workshop participant Bryan Prince (left). Instructor and professional guide Beny Wilson (right) provides guidance. (photo by Aly DeGraff Ollivierre)
We thank Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) for sponsoring Allison’s participation in the workshop. EPIC notes the need for bird guides in the Grenadines: “The remote islands of the Grenadines archipelago are home to thousands of breeding seabirds, with some islands classified are regional or global Important Bird Areas. Unfortunately, these nesting sites suffer from poaching, introduced predators, and other threats. That’s where the Grenadines Volunteer Patrol comes in. This group of fishers, tour guides, and concerned citizens conducts seabird surveys to monitor populations and advocates on behalf of these crucial nesting areas.
One repeated request we receive from trainees during our workshops is to learn how to be a bird guide. This year EPIC was able to sponsor Volunteer Patrol members to attend a 5-day Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Training Program hosted by Sustainable Grenadines and BirdsCaribbean. Participant Allison Caton noted that “the facilitators were top notch and the information was delivered in a serious, yet fun way.” She and others can now integrate this crucial knowledge, whether they currently run tours or plan to start a new business. Either way, it’s a win-win for the birds and the people who benefit financially from bird conservation.”
A big thank you to all of the sponsors of this workshop for their funding and/or in-kind donations:
Allison Caton receives her certificate of completion for the Caribbean Birding Trail Interpretive Guide Training Workshop in Union Island, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. (photo by Aly DeGraff Ollivierre)
Marshall Reynolds Foundation
KfW German Development Bank through Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC)
US Forest Service, International Programs
Optics for the Tropics
Palm Island Resort
Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, Forestry, Fisheries, Disaster Management and Information
Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)
Ridge to Reef Project Grenada
Carefree Birding
Private donors
Kings Landing Hotel
CBT Workshop Participants birding at Belmont Salt Pond, Union Island (good shorebird habitat, especially when a bit wetter!).
To read more about this workshop, check out entertaining blog posts by 2 other participants: Natalya Lawrence and Lloyd Joseph. See more photos in an album on our Flickr page.
Semipalmated Sandpipers in flight. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
The sandpiper flocks fly up in waves, blurred wings beating and gliding as one, they circle around after being flushed and land again in unison on the dike road ahead of us while another flock lands just behind us. “Ok, start counting!” I say to my colleague, Fernando Simal. Easier said than done! The little brown birds dart about constantly on land and at the water’s edge, deftly snapping brine flies off the ground. We do our best to count the number of birds of each species using tally counters and record the numbers on our data sheet. This particular flock was composed mostly of Least Sandpipers and Semipalmated Sandpipers with a few Sanderlings thrown in.
Least Sandpiper and Western Sandpiper foraging among the salt crystals at Cargill Salt Ponds. (Photo by Jeff Gerbracht)
Fernando and I are at our one of our “high density” points (counting stations) on the Cargill Salt Production Facility in southern Bonaire. We are driving the dike roads stopping every 400m to carry out a 6-minute count, recording all the birds in a 200m radius around our point. A second team, Jeff Gerbracht (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) and Binkie van Es (St. Maarten Nature Foundation) are covering another part of the facility. The conditions can only be described as harsh—non-stop winds of 25-30 knots, blazing sun and salt foam blowing at us constantly. But the shorebirds love it, and so do we—there are not very many places where you can see such large concentrations and diversity of shorebirds so close.
We have so far encountered over 20 species of shorebirds and waterbirds using the Cargill ponds, including American Flamingo, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Reddish Egret, Black-bellied Plover, Snowy Plover, Greater yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Ruddy Turnstone, Stilt Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Western Sandpiper, Short-billed Dowitcher, Red Knot and more. Depending on where the point is in the Cargill Facility, we might encounter zero birds in areas of deeper water, or mixed flocks numbering in the hundreds or even thousands in areas with shallow water or exposed flats.
Fernando Simal braves harsh conditions at the Cargill salt ponds in Bonaire. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
The prime attraction to this habitat is food—some of the ponds team with brine shrimp or brine fly larvae and the dike roads separating crystallizer ponds are often covered with hordes of brine flies. These small organisms, adapted to thrive in extremely salty conditions, serve as an essential food resource for these wintering and migratory shorebirds.
This is the second year of intensive surveys conducted at Cargill in an effort to learn more about the species and numbers of birds using this site. Shorebirds have received much attention in recent years due to evidence of alarming hemispheric-wide declines in numbers. Loss of wetland habitats is one of the main threats, but other factors also play a role, such as hunting, human disturbance, impacts from climate change such as sea level rise, and predation from invasive species.
In the case of the Red Knot, a threatened shorebird, numbers plunged from 90,000 to 15,000 from overharvesting of Horseshoe Crabs in the Delaware Bay in the early 2000s. The Bay is a critical migration staging area in spring where as much as 90% of the Red Knot population congregates to feast on horseshoe crab eggs. These birds rely on the eggs as a vital food source at their final stopover to build up enough fat and energy to make it back to their breeding grounds in the Arctic. They arrive in Delaware Bay in mid-May weighing about 120 grams, and depart 2 weeks later weighing 180 grams or more, with one particularly large individual weighing in at 244 grams at departure!
Stunningly beautiful American Flamingos dot the stark landscape like pink flowers. (Photo by Lisa Sorenson)
How and why did these surveys get started? Two years ago, I had the chance to visit and tour the Cargill Salt Production Facility for the first time, thanks to Daniel Deanda (Production Manager), who attended our Wetlands Education Training Workshop in May 2014, hosted by STINAPA Bonaire. I was amazed at the number of migratory shorebirds and waterbirds on the property, including the stunningly beautiful American Flamingos which dot the stark landscape like pink flowers. I recognized that this small island and even smaller site was probably hugely important to migrant and wintering shorebirds, perhaps even qualifying as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network (WHSRN) site, a program set up by Manomet 30 years ago to protect the most important breeding, stopover, and wintering habitats for shorebirds throughout the Americas.
Thanks to funding support from Environment Canada, the blessing of Cargill managers, and partnerships with local organizations STINAPA Bonaire, WILDCONSCIENCE, and the Dutch Conservation Nature Alliance, our surveys are providing estimates of population numbers of target species at the site. Although we are still refining our population estimates, there is no doubt that this site provides a winter home for thousands of shorebirds, enough to nominate it for a WHSRN site. It could also be a critical stopover area during spring and fall migration for shorebirds that are spending the winter further south. Additional counts planned for spring and fall of 2016 will help answer that question.
The Red Knot breeds in the Tundra of the central Canadian Arctic from northern Hudson Bay to the southern Queen Elizabeth Islands. It winters as far south as Tierra del Fuego at the tip of South America, undergoing a migration of 9,300 miles each fall and spring, making it one of the world’s longest-distance migrants. (Photo by Fernando Simal)
One of the most exciting finds from our 2016 February surveys were fairly large flocks of Red Knots. We noticed a leg band (green flag) on one of the birds and were able to read the flag—CTK. After entering the banding data into BandedBirds.org and corresponding further with the ornithologist that had banded the bird, Dr. Larry Niles, I learned that this bird was first captured and banded in 2004, making it a very old bird, at least 12 years of age. It was recaptured again in 2008 and May of 2015 in Delaware Bay. Larry commented: “On May 30 which is the end of this stopover period, the bird weighed only 154 g which is 26 grams short of the 180 g threshold necessary for a successful flight to the Arctic. Nevertheless this bird survived and still breeds.”
We think it is really cool that the salt ponds of Bonaire are providing a home for this Red Knot for the winter of 2015-2016, and perhaps other years as well! WHSRN site designation will help to raise awareness about the importance of “this little island” and the Cargill Salt Facility as a haven for migratory shorebirds.
by Lisa Sorenson, Ph.D. Executive Director, BirdsCaribbean
A juvenile Red Knot in Barbados (by John Webster). This species has one of the longest migrations of any bird, traveling more than 9,000 mi (14,000 km) from the Arctic to the southern tip of South America each year. Some individuals use Caribbean wetlands as stopover sites on migration.
One bird, two bird, three bird, four! Since 2010, hundreds of dedicated volunteers have been spreading out across the Caribbean’s vast wetlands, large and small, and counting birds for the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC). The goal is to learn more about the status of migratory and resident waterbirds and strengthen their conservation.
Waterbirds in the Caribbean, and the wetlands they depend on, are challenging to monitor. The Caribbean region is spread across 7,000 islands, islets, and cays and many wetlands are difficult to access. But our intrepid counters have braved gooey mud, marauding mosquitos, and sweltering heat to help us gather data of great importance to conservation.
Waterbirds are species that depend on aquatic habitats, like mangroves, salt ponds, tidal flats, lagoons, beaches, and freshwater marshes, to complete portions of their life cycle. Unfortunately, many species are in severe decline, particularly shorebirds. Semipalmated Sandpiper that once numbered over two million on Caribbean and South American wintering grounds have dropped by 80%. Another long-distance migrant shorebird, the Red Knot, is now listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act, having declined by 80% as well. The Zapata Rail, endemic to sawgrass habitat in the Zapata Swamp in southern Cuba, has not been seen with certainty in nearly 20 years.
Wetlands are important for birds and for our well being too. Not only do they provide a home for wildlife, they also provide people with clean water, protection from floods and erosion, and opportunities for recreation and wildlife viewing.
Reddish Egret (dark morph) in Cuba by Antonio Rodriguez. This medium sized heron has 2 color morphs, light and dark. It inhabits coastal wetlands in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles islands. It is known for its energetic feeding behavior, running, jumping, flying and open wing dancing in pursuit of small fish in shallow water.
For years wetlands have been destroyed for development, damaged by pollution, or threatened by tourism, agriculture, cattle, industry, or sea level rise. Because wetlands are vital to birds and people, it’s important to know where they are, what birds are living in them, and what times of year they are being used.
BirdsCaribbean is answering these questions through the CWC, a program that aims to increase support for waterbird and wetland conservation by training a cadre of people to observe and record birds in wetlands across the Caribbean. Natural resource agency staff and citizen scientist volunteers help answer important questions while gaining an understanding and appreciation of migratory birds and the wetlands that they live in.
Since the beginning of the program in 2010, over 200 people from 21 countries have surveyed more than 700 areas! Each year, more and more people take part in the CWC. We have learned a lot of cool stuff over the last six years!
For example, several places stand out for their high numbers of birds. Sur de Los Palacios, Cuba is important to Wilson’s Plover throughout the fall, winter, and spring. This medium-sized bird is on the 2014 State of the Birds Watchlist, which lists species most in danger of extinction without significant conservation action. Knowing where they spend much of their time can lead to increased conservation for these sites in Cuba. Monte Cristi in northwestern Dominican Republic has been discovered as an incredibly important site for many shorebird species throughout the migration and winter season. Counts in the fall are especially high for Greater Yellowlegs (870 individuals), Lesser Yellowlegs (3,250 individuals) and Semipalmated Sandpiper (3,150 individuals), all being the highest overall counts for the species throughout the Caribbean!
White-cheeked Pintails in flight by Ernesto Reyes. Wetlands in the Caribbean are very important to migratory ducks like Blue-winged Teal and Lesser Scaup, and resident ducks, such as the White-cheeked Pintails, shown here.
Shorebirds like these only weigh a couple ounces; the Semipalmated Sandpiper weighs in at just a smidge more than a quarter, and flies thousands of miles from it’s breeding grounds in the Arctic to it’s wintering grounds in South America. Knowing where this bird stops along the way is important so conservationists can protect the places it needs to rest and feed for their long journey.
Another indicator of importance is the diversity—or how many different kinds of birds—are observed. Two locations in Guadeloupe (Pointe des Chateaux and Petite-Terre) and one in Cuba (Sur de Los Palacios) had over ten different shorebirds counted and seven other sites, located in Guadeloupe, Grenada, DR, Bahamas, Cuba, and Grenada recorded 9, 8 or 7 shorebird species. Some sites in the Caribbean like Sur de Los Palacios in Cuba and Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic stand out for high numbers of all waterbirds, not just shorebirds. Of the 241 sites monitored in 2014 a total of 293 species were recorded!
What do all these numbers really mean? Knowing which birds are using what areas helps conservationists identify the most important sites to protect. Raising awareness, and showing the value of wetlands to local communities can lead to better care and protection of the wildlife using them. They become places to promote environmental education and bird and nature tourism. Enhancing key sites by installing boardwalks, viewing towers, and signs makes them attractive to visitors, which in turn increases their value for local people, livelihoods, and the economy.
During winter, some birds migrate, but many travel only short distances. Wilson’s Plover (female) at Mt Hartman wetland in Grenada by Greg Homel. This handsome shorebird is found in coastal areas, including sandy beaches, mudflats and mangroves. It is resident and breeds on many Caribbean islands. During winter, some birds migrate, but many travel only short distances.
While participation in the CWC has increased every year and we have already learned a great deal from the counts, there is still much work to be done! With over 7,000 islands and islets in the Caribbean, many important sites have not yet been surveyed. In addition, it’s important to continue surveying the same sites over the long term in order to document changes in waterbird numbers in relation to changing environmental conditions, for example, under climate change. Finally, we must continue to raise awareness about the importance and value of these sites to birds and people and promote protection and good management. Doing so will ensure that these critical wetlands are not lost forever; and birds and people will have a place to thrive.
To find out how to participate in the CWC, click here.
Machi being fitted with satellite transmitter in August, 2009. (Photo by Bart Paxton)
When “Machi”, a Whimbrel carrying a satellite transmitter, was shot and killed in Guadeloupe in September 2011, the international bird conservation community had a rude wake-up call about what was happening to migrating shorebirds in the French West Indies.
The fact was that tens of thousands of shorebirds representing several species were being shot by hunters each fall. Swift action by BirdsCaribbean (then the Society for the Conservation of Caribbean Birds – SCSCB) and its members and partners, including AMAZONA (the local bird conservation organization), has resulted in significant progress on the issue of shorebird hunting.
Whimbrels are amazing long distance migrants. Machi had been tracked for over 27,000 miles (44,000 km) back and forth between the breeding grounds in the Hudson Bay Lowlands of Canada to wintering grounds on the coast of Brazil. In 2011, we had learned from the satellite tracking study being conducted by the Center for Conservation Biology that Machi, after hunkering down in Montserrat during Tropical Storm Maria, flew to Guadeloupe where she met her end. Ongoing tracking studies have shown that Whimbrels like Machi and other shorebirds utilize the Caribbean islands to rest and refuel, take refuge from dangerous storms, or spend the winter. However, the journey ends for many that attempt to stop in Guadeloupe, Martinique, or Barbados, where sport hunting of shorebirds remains a popular tradition.
At the time when Machi and a second satellite-tagged Whimbrel named Goshen were killed, there were no daily bag limits in the French West Indies, and no protection for species of conservation concern, such as the Red Knot. Thankfully, due to proactive advocacy, there have been some positive changes in hunting regulations since Machi’s death.
Following the shooting of the two shorebirds and in light of the fact that populations of many shorebird species are declining in the Americas, BirdsCaribbean organized a letter writing campaign targeting decision makers in environmental departments of the French government as well as other key authorities and international organizations. Many BirdsCaribbean members and partners sent letters to these officials, urging them to take actions in support of a more sustainable and responsible harvest. They also wrote about the issue in their local newspapers, websites, and blogs.
Map showing the long-distance migration of Machi from 2009 to 2011, before being shot in Guadeloupe. Machi was tagged with a satellite transmitter. (map courtesy of Fletcher Smith)
As a result of this international campaign and months of dedicated work by the National Hunting and Wildlife Agency (ONCFS) in Guadeloupe, together with other departments and local hunters, there has been a change in policy which benefits migratory shorebirds that rely on these islands’ mangroves and wetlands as wintering and critical stopover sites during their long migrations.
The Ministère de l’Environnement and the Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de la Guadeloupe and Fédération Départementale des Chasseurs de la Martinique have acted to place some restrictions on shorebird harvest: First, the Red Knot (beginning in 2012) and Solitary Sandpiper (2013) were closed to hunting on Guadeloupe and the Red Knot was closed to hunting on Martinique in 2013. The Ministère de l’Environnement in Paris is also considering long-term removal of the Red Knot from the list of hunted species. Second, a bag limit of 20 birds per day per hunter was instituted in Guadeloupe in 2013. This action of setting bag limits, initiated by an Overseas Department, is a rare action for the French hunting community and regulatory agency. Finally, a three-year moratorium on the shooting of Whimbrels and Hudsonian Godwits was put in place in Martinique in 2013.
The BirdsCaribbean community is encouraged by these outcomes. Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean commented, “Machi’s death drew attention to the fate that awaits hundreds of thousands of other shorebirds that pass through the Caribbean in the future, and provided an opportunity to encourage these governments to adopt more sustainable hunting regulations.There is still much work to be done, but we consider the change in hunting laws to be a very important and significant conservation outcome. Machi did not die in vain.”
Machi on a Caribbean mudflat. (photo by Barry Truitt)
Said Howard Nelson, President of BirdsCaribbean, “We applaud the French government’s and the Fédérations des Chasseurs of Guadeloupe and Martinique actions on this issue, and we want to thank our members and partners for their help in bringing about this positive change.” He added, “We all need to remain vigilant about issues like this throughout the region as we continue to work to conserve resident and migratory birds for future generations to enjoy.” Nelson remarked that BirdsCaribbean supports broader social and ecological values of shorebirds and that in the longer term, he was hopeful that this would support meaningful behavior change on the islands.
Sincere thanks to all of our members, partners, and donors who wrote letters and supported this campaign – we could not have done it without your help.
Links to Articles on the Shooting of Machi and Goshen
Birds of the Transboundary Grenadines
